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Welcome to the Dawn Patrol, our daily roundup of information on the War on Terror and other topics - from the MilBlogs and other sources around the world. If you're a blogger, you can join the conversation. If you link to any of these stories, add a link to the Dawn Patrol too and your trackback will be added to the list.
Victory - [Foreign and Domestic - in Iraq]
...Victory in Iraq will look like the same sort of violence we see today, minus the large number of Coalition forces. It will look like the same patrols through the streets of Baghdad, but they will be Iraqi Army rather than US Army. It will look like the same border patrols along the Jordanian and Syrian borders, but with Iraqi Border Police instead of US Marines. And it will look like the same naval activity in the Gulf waters, but done by the Iraqi Navy instead of the British.
Victory in Iraq will be when we have taken Saddam's Iraq apart, put it back together in the shape of a democracy, given it time to get on it's feet, and then withdrawn the bulk of our forces.
Replicating Success -- [Outside the Wire]
As the Marines of Weapons platoon fanned out under a starlit night to begin the census, they did not grumble about a census being a BS Op. They have seen how effective census data can be.
VBIEDs at the Gate -- [Acute Politics - in Iraq]
We rolled back to Ramadi early Sunday afternoon, after a long rotation out to Falluja. I took my personal gear and my 240B machine gun into the barracks, and stopped in to say hello to my medic buddy. I was headed back out to the 5-ton dump truck that we use to transport gear for another load of rucksacks and bags when the air split with a loud craaack-BOOM, and the ground shook underfoot. Everyone flinched towards the ground, and someone dryly cracked "That didn't sound like outgoing". A large black smoke plume shot into the air somewhere over towards the gate, turning grey as it mixed with the dusty sky. Black smoke, for a VBIED. I don't know why the VBIEDs always shoot black smoke into the sky, but they invariably do.
The next few minutes were filled with the confused rush that follows a big blast- phones ringing, squad leaders checking to make sure all their men are ok,...
Good News from Iraq -- [OP-FOR]
Here is what the Honorable Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and their fellow democrats are attempting to stop with their political maneuvering on the military spending bill.
I have decided to compile a handful of stories that you will never see in the mainstream media to give you all a very different picture of society in Iraq. Remember the hoorah when General Petraeus was quoted as saying, “There is no military solution in Iraq?” He meant that killing everyone was not the solution and below is a small sampling of the kinds of tasks our “Surge” troops are involved in on a daily basis.
A Bloody Day In The Life -- [Pat Dollard]
Despite what you are about to read, it’s author, Corporal Tyler Rock, USMC, has re-enlisted for four years and has very harsh words for Harry Reid ( See Stories Below ). Why is this war supposedly so hard on the Dems who are not even fighting it? What do they have to complain about compared to The Marines, who are not complaining?
“all the guys agree with me here. like i said. hit me up when you want some more stories of the shit we have done that the reporters dont tell. its funny. when they were here they wouldnt let them come out to where we are. they told them that it was too dangerous. isnt that the point? no one sees the things that the average joe marine sees.
Haditha Bombshell - Intel Evidence -- [Power and Control]
New evidence continues to surface in the Haditha case that shows the Marines didn't do it.
Convincing evidence that corroborates NewsMax.com's accounts of the Haditha insurgent ambush has compelled the prosecution to take extraordinary steps to bolster their crumbling case.
...It is looking more and more like there was no case to begin with. Just some allegations and a movie by our enemies. With Time Magazine taking the side of our enemies.
Let's Smear Some Marines for the Cause -- [Strategy Page]
April 27, 2007: There is now evidence that backs the Marines charged with killing civilians at Haditha in Iraq. If true, the new evidence would indicate that al Qaeda carried out another successful information operation that not only diverted resources into an investigation, but also provided some anti-war politicians ammunition to not only claim crimes had been committed, but that there had been a cover-up.
An Interview With The Haditha Defense Team -- [Redstate]
The Haditha investigation has taken a truly nasty turn.
It is becoming more obvious that the Marines currently charged in this incident have been abused, had their rights as American citizens as well as fighting men trammeled, and have been the subject of a malicious campaign from within Department of Defense and the House Armed Services Committee to ensure their conviction. Whether they are guilty or innocent, a matter still to be determined, the manner in which they have been treated is nothing short of shameful.
Petraeus: Progress In Anbar ‘Breathtaking’ -- [Defense News]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. commander of multinational forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, said Wednesday that efforts to quell unrest in the western Sunni province of Anbar have made ...
JSS Thrasher secures southern Ghazaliyah -- [MNF-I]
BAGHDAD — Coalition leaders noticed security improvements in southern Ghazaliyah Monday since Joint Security Station Thrasher was erected March 14.
Seabees build outpost in Al Anbar -- [MNF-I]
AL ANBAR PROVINCE — The Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 finished construction of a combat outpost for Marine Regimental Combat Team 2 and Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, in Iraq’s Al Anbar province, April 24.
Army Colonel Aided Enemy, Slept With Detainee's (UPDATE: Smokin' Hot) Daughter -- [Jawa Report]
Lt. Col. William H. Steele, one-time commander of a prison in Iraq, has been charged with aiding the enemy. Steele is said to have passed an unmonitored cell phone to detainees.
What most media accounts of the charges filed against Steele leave out is that he is also charged with sleeping with a detainee's daughter. So, this appears to be a case of a soldier who is asked to do a "favor" for the father of the girl he's sleeping with.
The Phony "Civil War" in Iraq [The Corner - Michael Novak]
Two false assertions are being made these days about the Sunnis and the Shiites in Iraq. The first is that they have been fighting one another for ages. The second is that they are currently waging civil war upon one another.
Shiites and Sunnis have lived in rather remarkable proximity in many cities of Iraq, with not a few intermarriages, and for many generations. They have often boasted of being Iraqis first, before being Sunnis and Shiites
Macy is Home -- [Afghanistan Without a Clue - in Iraq]
Bear, Hamid, Mike, and Drew Ponder the Universe
Yes, as the title indicates, we had another of our justly famous conversations about universal truths, and this time Mike and Drew got to participate also. Poor Hamid, his brains hurts enough when I talk to him; imagine the migraine he must have had after talking to the three of us. I don’t remember how we got on the topic, but we ended up discussing freedom of religion.
“People in Afghanistan don’t need the freedom to switch religions; no one would leave Islam,” Hamid assured us.
“Well, how would you know? Right now it’s like having a gun held to your head. Remain Muslim or die. Your government forces everyone to remain Muslim. Leaving the faith is never a realistic possibility for anyone, unless they flee the country.” I countered.
“But no one would ever leave Islam. It is the perfect religion.” Hamid was very confident on this point.
“Hamid, you’ve never even read the Qur’an.
Legoland -- [A JAG in Afghanistan - in Afghanistan]
Let's see where Bob lives, shall we? Oh yes, let's....
We call it Legoland. Maybe you can tell why. They are connexes stacked next to each other and on top of each other. Aren't you jealous that you don't get to live here?
I'm sure you are!!!
I'm Back Online -- 25 April -- [Air Force Afghanistan Mentor - in Afghanistan]
I took my first ride outside the wire and was able to see the local population drive for the first time this week. I saw a video on Utube about driving in Afghanistan and thought it was just an anomaly; boy was I wrong! They don't have traffic laws here, they use more of a fill in any open space on the road approach, even if its the wrong side of the road! We had cars going four wide in a two lane space, don't ask me how they do it, they just do. Also at intersections they will cut in on the wrong side of the intersection or try and turn right from the left lane at the traffic circles. You need good peripheral vision to drive here let alone to watch for dangers that may be looking for you. I have seen some incredible places and sights here and will post some pictures of the places and things I have seen.
ARTICLE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE ALUMNI MAGAZINE -- [Afghanistan JAG - in Iraq]
Good Samaritan Guardsman Will Leave Afghanistan a Better Place
Life doesn’t just happen to Scott Delius. He shapes it to a purpose, which is how he finds himself in Afghanistan.
...At the end of the white knuckle convoy though, the supplies finally reached the people—a gratifying experience for Delius and his colleagues.
“I helped one woman and a beautiful little girl carry their packages,” he said. “After I put them down, this sweet little girl turned to me and said ‘tashakur’ - which means ‘thank you.’ This was the highlight of my day, and maybe the greatest moment of this entire deployment.”
Spring In Shindand -- [McNeilly's Perspective - in Afghanistan]
...SGT White, who writes gwot.us, pointed out that we all seem to do these, now that I am leaving posts, and I guess that is natural. Here is a brief thought from me on that, and I don’t believe this will be my last post, but I will try and keep the sappy reflections to a minimum.
...The people of Afghanistan have benefited greatly from our presence here. That is what leaders of villages, soldiers, and interpreters tell me. Of course folks who do not agree may not ever talk with me. Even taking the fighting into account these last 5 years have been peaceful for the bulk of Afghans. The children entering elementary school now, both boys and girls have not seen a battle in their lifetime. Their parents are able to concentrate on building a better life for their kids and grandkids. I am proud to serve beside such good people.
That Reflection Post -- [GWOT dot US - in Afghanistan]
Yes, yes. It’s that time of year, time for the obligatory ‘Reflection Post’. You’ve seen them from other milblogs of soldiers soon leaving theater. They usually contain words such as, “Hope” and “Sustainment” and “Commitment”. They’ll reflect on the good things that they have accomplished and lament on the things that could have been. Well I thought I’d try something different for my ‘Reflection Post’. Instead of boring you with the non-complexity that has been my tour, I will instead write an open letter to the people of Afghanistan, who on all accounts, is what this fighting-for is really all about.
Dear Afghan Citizens,...
Bye from Afghanistan -- [Task Force Phoenix 5 - in Afghanistan]
Well my last Blog from Afghanistan, there were times I never thought this would happen and times I wanted it to happen that day. It’s been an experience and an adventure I will never forget and will always remember some of the things I’ve seen and done for the last year. I never thought it would be like this and never thought I would do and see the things I’ve done or seen.
...My Mom asked me if I could go back to the day I signed my contract with the Army and if I would do it again.
Step One in the Journey Home -- [Bouhammer's Afghan Blog]
Well I have left my FOB and am no longer in Sharana. We pulled out yesterday and our whole team is back together at or CORPS HQ here in Gardez. It is the first time our entire NY team has been together since the day we split apart at this exact location on May 17th, 2006. We are now back under our own chain of command and doing what we need to in order to take care of ourselves and not being directed by people that would not know a ANA soldier from a camel. We are back to making sure that our team is taken care of and gets out of here safely.
Caught on Tape: Shocking Video of Iranian Regime Cracking Down on Women! -- [Gateway Pundit]
This is a SHOCKING video captured inside the regime!!
The regime began detaining women this week for violating strict new Islamic dress code rules.
The mullahs are not winning any new friends on this one.
Kamangir links to a sad and shocking video talked about by blogger Malakut of police arresting a screaming woman for breaking the dress code. This is just a sad and horrible violation of women's rights that is not getting much attention in the Western media.
Islamist Video: "Top Ten Operations [Carried Out] by the Knights of the Islamic State of Iraq" -- [MEMRI]
On April 26, 2007, two Islamist forums posted a 20-minute clip titled "Top Ten Operations [Carried Out] by the Knights of the Islamic State of Iraq." The clip shows footage of 10 terrorist operations, taken from videos produced by the ISI media company Al-Furqan. Included are excerpts from the film showing the February 6, 2007 downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter in the Al-Anbar district, and excerpts from a video showing a mujahid crawling under a U.S. tank to plant a bomb (originally posted on Islamist websites on March 18, 2007).
House bill introduced to require State & Treasury cooperation on Countering Terrorism Financing -- [Counterterrorism Blog]
Three members of the House Financial Services Committee, including Chairman Barney Frank, introduced a bill to improve coordination between the major players in counterterrorism financing, particularly Treasury and State. The bill (click here for the full-text) essentially requires the departments to play nicely together. The bill's aim can be summarized in one paragraph from Sec. 3 (a) starting on page 6:
OIC accuses West of anti-Muslim bias -- [Jihad Watch]
"Bias against Islam has increased since September 11, 2001 and a series of terrorist acts in Europe." No way, really? From AFP...
"The Noisy Offering" -- [Soldiers' Angels Germany]
Sandy Shourds and the women of Holy Communion Lutheran Church have been sewing for our wounded soldiers in Germany for well over a year now. When I received the email above I never expected to see what I did when opening their boxes. It was a true miracle to have received this generous donation at a time when patient census is increasing and the need is so great.
New pictures from our medics -- [Soldier's Angels - Medical Support]
Just a few recent photos of some of the medics we support here at Soldier's Angels
Somtimes they look pretty serious, once in a while they have some fun.
The Art of the Military Love Letter -- [airforcewife - Spouse Buzz]
...It took some time, but I finally discovered our formula for the military love letter.
...Really, the military love letter is not an easy thing.
The military love letter is also not a form letter. It all depends on the people sending it and the people receiving it. For instance, if I sent my husband a letter on frilly pink stationary, he'd probably send someone to check on my mental state. And he'd hide the letter, just because - well, we don't do frilly and pink. But frilly and pink may be perfectly in character for someone else.
...So, with all that out of the way, here are a few suggestions for military love letters...
The UN and American Children In Combat -- [Strategy Page]
April 27, 2007: Fearing a media mauling, the Department of Defense has ordered that no troops younger than 18 can deploy to a combat zone. For a long time, it's been possible to enlist at age 17, and be through basic and advanced training quickly enough to hit combat before you turn 18. The UN, however, has declared teenage soldiers, or at least those under 18, to be a crime against humanity.
When a Soldier Comes Home -- [Strategy Page]
War may be hell... but home ain't exactly heaven, either.
When a soldier comes home from war, he finds it hard...
Podcast Interview with Colonel David Hunt -- [CWA-NJ Conservatives with Attitude!]
Colonel David Hunt, the military analyst for Fox News Channel, stopped by the Conservatives with Attitude! podcast studio and sat down with Richard Ross and I to discuss his new book, On the Hunt; How to Wake Up America and Win the War on Terror.
...Our podcast interview talks about winning the war on terror, Iraq, illegal immigration, Rumsfeld, Franks, Democrats, Nancy Pelosi and more.
Send 'em a white feather -- [Michelle Malkin]
Several readers note that legendary Marine Corps sniper Carlos Hathcock wore a white feather in his hat band. Reader M.A. says his feather will have a dual message--"symbolizing the cowardice of the surrendercrats and also serving as a reminder to Reid and company of what true grit was."
Audio: Ranger gets emotional about the war -- [Hot Air]
Well, alleged Ranger. There’s no way to prove he is who he says he is, but there’s no reason to doubt it, either.
The “traitor” rhetoric is over the top, but good stuff otherwise. Takeaway: “I will finish this job.”
Soldier Appeals For Support
Ware says: pullout would be "giving Iraq to Iran & al Qaeda"
Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware and anchor Kyra Phillips discuss their recent trip to Iraq. Towards the end, it was asked if America pulling out of Iraq would "help the situation." Neither Ware nor Phillips appear to think anything of that idea, with Ware saying pulling out would hand "Iraq to Iran and al Qaeda." (more)
A Letter to the Media -- [SgtStryker]
They days of an objective and impartial media reporting the news are long gone. Every news report we see has a slant to it. It could be right or left of the political spectrum, but our media has becoming increasingly biased. One of the most obvious examples of this slant has been the overwhelmingly negative bias towards the war in Iraq that has developed over the past few years. Stories on the war are repeatedly colored with an anti-war brush. The good work being done by our troops, the successes we have experienced, the victories won are not being reported. The media has truly gone from an objective bystander simply showing the events as they happen, to a much more editorial entity, reporting their views as truth.
When It Comes to Iraq Leadup, Media Left Flip-flops on Press Power -- [NewsBusters]
For a crowd that was very insistent that America "move on" from the issues surrounding the impeachment of Bill Clinton, you'd think the far left would give it a rest when it comes to the subject of the lead-up to the Iraq war. It doesn't take much digging to conclude that whatever false intelligence the Bushies believed, the Clintonites did as well--as did the rest of the western world.
March of the Morons -- [Jules Crittenden]
We live in a time of great moronitude. Morons, everywhere, rising from their morasses, massing and moving forward. In their multitudes, the morons march inexorably to the moronocy. The road is not easy. Some will fall by the way. Others, struggling moronically, will rise to blithering new heights of moronality.
Keith Olbermann:
Bush Suggests More Targets for Congressional Probes -- [ScrappleFace]
(2007-04-26) — White House sources say President George Bush has given Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi a list of administration officials who would make good targets for Congressional probes as part of Mr. Bush’s strategy to keep Democrats preoccupied with investigations and thus distracted from implementing their legislative agenda.
(Need more? The previous Dawn Patrol is here.)
